Task 2: Guiding Principles

Working with the Steering Committee, FHI will develop guiding principles for the project. The goal of establishing these guiding principles is to establish a framework for the collection and assessment of information in support of the plan. The guiding principles will also guide the community’s vision and implementation plan. We recommend the following guiding principles as a starting point for this task:

Create and Maintain a Livable Built Environment

Bridgeport’s built environment should be conducive to all modes of transport: walking, bicycling, transit, and automobile travel. Development should be focused towards areas best serve by that infrastructure with a special focus on areas with high transit access. Development and redevelopment should be appropriate to the surrounding neighborhood. Development should strive for the highest levels of sustainability with respect to location, site design, materials, energy efficiency, and preservation of historic resources.

Ensure Harmony with Nature

Bridgeport will restore, connect, and protect natural habitats and sensitive lands including wetlands, streams, watershed, and floodplains. The City will encourage development that respects natural topography, incorporates green infrastructure and incorporates renewable energy sources. Bridgeport will enact policies that seek to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, reduces solid waste, encourages water and energy conservation, and meets air quality standards. Bridgeport will continue to plan for and build a resilient shoreline that protects the City from storm event and sea-level changes while protecting the City’s connection to and relationship with the waterfront.

Develop a Resilient Economy

Bridgeport will develop a resilient economy by adopting land use policies that provide physical capacity for economic growth. That policy will allow for community-based economic development as well as conventional central business district and industrial area growth. The City will provide and maintain infrastructure that supports such growth.

Provide Interwoven Equity

Bridgeport will be an equitable community that provides a range of housing types in safe neighborhoods. The City will invest in infrastructure and public facilities in distressed and disadvantaged neighborhoods as a means of promoting environmental justice. Bridgeport will plan for improved health and safety for at-risk populations.

Foster a Healthy Community

Bridgeport will encourage healthy lifestyles by providing access to healthy foods, parks recreation facilities, greenways, and open space from its neighborhoods. Bridgeport will seek to reduce exposure to toxins and pollutants in the natural and built environment and will encourage the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Support Responsible Regionalism

Bridgeport will support plans and policies that are consistent with the MetroCOG region’s plans and policies. The City’s land use policies will be sensitive to regional transportation infrastructure and investments. Bridgeport will work with neighboring municipalities to seek opportunities for the sharing of services and resources. Bridgeport will consider regional trends in local decision making. The City will encourage consistency between local capital improvement programs and regional infrastructure priorities.